John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he will publish the consultation paper on the proposed aviation policy; if he will outline the main themes that this policy will cover; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15202/13]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he will bring forward a new aviation strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15244/13]

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he will publish the consultation paper on the proposed aviation policy; the main themes that this policy will cover; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15273/13]

Alan Farrell (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he will publish the consultation paper on the proposed aviation policy; the main themes that this policy will cover; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15216/13]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 14, 16, 71 and 74 together.

These questions relate to the  development of a new aviation policy.

The aviation industry is a key enabler of economic growth so it is important that there is a clear policy framework in place to facilitate its continued development and to optimise the contribution that this important sector can make to the Irish economy.

To this end, I have launched a process of engagement on the development of a new national aviation policy.  As a first step, my Department and the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) hosted a conference on 3 December 2012 in the Convention Centre Dublin to hear from an array of stakeholders on how we might set about developing a new national policy and to start the debate on what that policy should contain.

Taking account of the issues that were raised at the conference, along with topics raised with myself and my Department, I published an Issues paper for consultation on my Department's website on 1 March 2013. The Issues paper covers eight broad areas: Airports, Air Services, Regulation and Governance, Aircraft Leasing and Finance, Aerospace, Education and Training, General Aviation and Sustainability.  The closing date for receipt of submission is 30 June 2013.

Following receipt of submissions, a draft National Aviation Policy Statement will be issued in the second half of 2013. That will provide further opportunity for stakeholder input before the adoption of the policy in early 2014.